Monsters

Jo likes themes. Besides, Vivian had one for her first birthday - Dr. Seuss. So we've been casting around for ideas for Evan's first. We started with a vague notion of something like Stitch - of the Lilo and Stitch duo - because Stitch and Evan drool, bite, growl, attack aliens - that sort of thing.

Yesterday evening's trip to Pease Park helped us further refine our ideas. Jo, prompted by the classic spring afternoon, suggested that we abandon the spaghetti squash and meatballs in the fridge and go for a picnic. We stopped at the Taco Shack to pick up some dinner and then headed to the park. Vivian helped spread the blanket and we settled down for a good time.

In a few minutes, Evan had dipped his hands in the queso. After cleaning him off, we set him down a little further away from the blanket - hoping that he would go off and explore on his own. Then we turned our attention on a boot camp that was in full swing at the park. The girls were using dumb bells that were so tiny that we couldn't see them. At which point Evan returned to crush the chips and scatter them on himself and Vivian. We hurriedly closed the box of chips - which then Evan took to mean that he could sit on the box and crush it. Then he pulled Vivian's hair, sat on her food, pooped, and yelled in short order. So I took him for a "walk" while the girls finished dinner and we all hurried back home.

Along the way, we saw four cop cars on and around Lamar and Pease Park - not usually a huge hub of crime. Jo drily commented that they must have heard about a marauding monster last seen at the park.

For Evan's birthday party, monsters it is.